According to the Evening Standard, the group—consisting of Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54—used fraudulent documents to support EU Settlement Scheme applications from Nigerian nationals between March 2019 and May of last year.

The Home Office’s investigation, which included international efforts based in Lagos, Nigeria, uncovered the extensive use of false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates among other fraudulent papers.

Onifade and Shodipo were convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry and conspiracy to supply fraudulent documents at Woolwich Crown Court. Gbadamosi faced charges of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, while Kabir was found guilty of possessing an identity document with improper intention.

Sentences were handed down as follows: Onifade received six years, Shodipo was given five years, Gbadamosi was sentenced to 18 months, and Kabir received nine months.

Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, commented, “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice. We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals.”

A delegation led by Ambassador Christian Okeke from the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, along with leaders of the Nigerian Students Union in the UK, will meet with the university’s management to seek a resolution.

This decision follows a virtual meeting chaired by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), attended by Okeke, Nigerian Students Union UK President Yemi Soile, and several affected students.

The meeting took place on Sunday.

NiDCOM spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun confirmed the planned intervention in a statement on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the students shared their experiences and expressed hope for a favorable outcome.

Dabiri-Erewa urged the students to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands. She appealed to Teesside University to treat the students fairly and justly.

The issue gained attention after some Nigerian students at Teesside University staged a protest on May 22, 2024, in response to directives from the university authorities for the students to leave the UK, citing non-payment of school fees by some students.

The Office for National Statistics revealed a jump in the unemployment rate to 4.2%, surpassing the 4% forecasted by analysts.

Liz McKeown, ONS Director of Economic Statistics, noted, “We are now seeing tentative signs that the jobs market is beginning to cool.”

Additionally, average regular pay growth, excluding bonuses, dipped to 6.0% from 6.1%, contributing to concerns about economic stability. Despite this, when factoring in Britain’s annual inflation rate, real wages only rose by 2.1%.

Commenting on the situation, Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, remarked, “Easing pressure in the labour market keeps the Bank of England on track for a summer rate cut.”

The Bank of England had previously maintained its key interest rate at a 16-year high of 5.25% in March, with overall UK inflation persistently exceeding its 2.0% target.

While inflation saw a decline to a near two-and-a-half-year low of 3.4% in February, providing some relief in the nation’s cost-of-living challenges, concerns linger over the broader economic implications.

The retraction follows scrutiny from Nigerians over the terms of the agreement. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Nigerian Minister for Trade and Investment, took to X platform to issue a thread retracting her earlier statement.

She underscored that there exists no legal agreement between Nigeria and the UK, clarifying the situation.

She said, “Earlier today, Nigeria signed a far-reaching MoU with the United Kingdom for Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership.

“Regrettably, our earlier report erroneously suggest that Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows lawyers licensed in the United Kingdom to practise in Nigeria.

“We wish to state emphatically that there is no such provision or agreement in the MpU.”

The minister reiterated that Nigeria does not have a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the UK and made no commitment under the MOU or elsewhere, to allow UK-licensed lawyers practise in Nigeria.

“As it currently stands, foreign licensed lawyers (including those licensed in the UK) cannot practise in Nigeria, as categorically stated in the MoU.

“We recognise that cross jurisdictional practice between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is still an ongoing conversation amongst relevant stakeholders within the legal practitioners community in Nigeria, and this was reflected in the MoU,” she added.

On Tuesday, a statement by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade, and a tweet from Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, had disclosed that Nigeria was signing a deal to remove barriers preventing UK lawyers from practising international law in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Bar Association had also condemned the purported agreement, stating that the statement credited to the minister was “ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed.”

Badenoch’s visit follows the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Talks and a previous visit by the former Foreign Secretary to Nigeria in August 2023.

According to a statement from Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer, Communications Lead for Prosperity and Economic Development at the British High Commission in Abuja, Badenoch, along with the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Helen Grant, will engage with Federal Government officials, state governors, and leaders from both British and Nigerian business communities.

During these meetings, the statement outlined that Badenoch will explore existing and potential investment and trade opportunities across various sectors, including education, infrastructure, and energy, to generate employment opportunities.

Additionally, Badenoch aims to reinforce the UK-Nigeria partnership, eliminate trade and investment barriers, promote business growth between the two nations, and enhance accessibility to the City of London’s facilitative role for international business, particularly for Nigeria.

Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, emphasized Nigeria’s significance as one of the UK’s key partners in Africa, affirming the commitment to supporting Nigeria in seizing new investment opportunities and fostering economic growth.

Montgomery highlighted recent reforms by the Nigerian Federal Government and the Central Bank, which have garnered optimism among international investors and set the stage for sustained growth and development in the country.

The law passed by the parliament on Friday provides a new toughening immigration policy that makes it more difficult for migrants to bring family members to France and delays their access to welfare benefits.

It also banned detaining minors in detention centres while leaders of a third of French regions said they would not comply with certain measures in the law.

A controversial provision discriminates between citizens and migrants, even those living in the country legally, in determining eligibility for benefits.

This new immigration policy means that just like the United Kingdom which imposed a no-dependant restriction on international students in May, Nigerian students are expected to look elsewhere for their Japa plans.

The UK government’s decision came in response to the alarming surge in net migration, which has reached a staggering one million individuals.  A situation that meant Conservative MPs had to call on the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, to address urgently and regain control over immigration figures.

Already, Nigerian students, who have been among the largest contributors to the UK’s international student community, have started to look at other alternatives in the Europe zone with France considered. But with this new development, their options are shrinking.

The other route – skilled worker visa,  seen as a better option to the UK, has experienced some reshuffling as well.

Earlier in December, new Home Secretary, James Cleverly, unveiled a set of new rules that raised the minimum salary requirement for obtaining a skilled worker visa from £26,000 to £38,700.

The figure itself is more than the existing median average salary of a full-time worker in Britain.

He exempted health and social care workers but said they would be prevented from bringing family dependents.

Also, overseas care workers will no longer be allowed to bring dependents (partners and children), while migrants have to pay a 66 percent NHS surcharge increase.

According to Cleverly, all of these were done to ensure immigrants “bring dependents whom they can support financially”

Apart from France and the UK, the government of Canada in December announced that starting from January 2024, international students must show a new proof of funds,  ₦16,050,000.0000 ($20,000).

The new cost is more than double the current requirement of $10,000, an amount brought in during the early 2000s that has not been adjusted since.

For 2024, a single applicant will need to show they have $20,635, representing 75% of LICO, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.

The government however announced the extension of the waiver on the 20-hour per week work cap for international students until April 30, 2024.

This extension applies only to students already present in Canada and those who submitted a study permit application as of December 7th, 2023.

The measure was first introduced on November 15, 2022, and was set to last until December 31, 2023. It allows students to work more than the usual 20 hours per week while class is in session.

Dangiwa shared this information during a meeting with the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and some Management Staff in Abuja.

In a statement from the Protocol Unit of NiDCOM on Wednesday, the Minister stated, “The overall goal is to ensure that as our brothers and sisters sojourn abroad, they also have a decent shelter over here in Nigeria to call their home”.

Arch. Dangiwa also affirmed the commitment of the Federal Housing Authority to the tripartite mandate of the Diaspora City Project in collaboration with NIDCOM, FHA, and FCT, situated at Maitama 2 on over 675 hectares of land.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended the Minister for his dedication and participation, particularly in the launch of the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme during the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit.

She expressed the enthusiasm of Nigerians in the Diaspora for both the Diaspora mortgage scheme and the upcoming Diaspora smart city in Kabusa, Maitama, FCT.

With approximately 20 million Nigerians in the Diaspora remitting an average of over $24 billion annually, the initiative aims to provide a tangible avenue for them to invest in housing back home while contributing to the Nigerian economy.

The decision to raise the fees came as part of a speech addressing an increase in public sector wages.

Sunak revealed that a portion of the funding for the wage hike would be generated from foreign migrants who come to the United Kingdom to live and work, according to British media reports.

Sunak further stated that the surcharge paid by visa applicants for the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) would “increase significantly.”

In a previous announcement at the United States embassy, the Prime Minister had also mentioned plans to raise fees for processing non-immigrant visa applications.

The US embassy subsequently confirmed that the new fees for various visa categories would be implemented from June 17, 2023.

Sunak justified the fee increases, stating that it was necessary as these fees had not been raised recently.

He explained that if public sector workers were to receive higher wages, the money had to be sourced from elsewhere, as increasing taxes or borrowing more would have negative consequences.

To generate the necessary funds, the government plans to raise visa application fees and the immigration health surcharge, which will raise over £1 billion.

Sunak clarified that the increased fees would not contribute to inflation since there would be no new borrowing or spending to fund the increases.

He emphasized that the government considered the fee adjustments appropriate, given that costs have risen since the previous hike.

In a tweet, Sunak expressed that the fee adjustments were a fair way to resolve strikes, garnering support from teaching unions. He deemed it a fair deal for workers and the British taxpayer, highlighting the positive impact on parents and families nationwide.

Montgomery stated that the measure is aimed at preventing excessive strain on the country’s housing infrastructure and managing the influx of migrants.

Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Montgomery emphasized the need to address the challenges of accommodating the growing student population while meeting their housing and service requirements.

He emphasized the importance of managing migration into and out of the UK.

The UK Home Office had announced on May 23 that international students, including Nigerians, would no longer be allowed to bring their families with them from January 2024.

Additionally, overseas students would not be permitted to switch from a student visa to a work visa until they complete their studies.

This decision has garnered mixed reactions from international students, educational institutions, and some British lawmakers who argue that it could exacerbate labor shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare and undermine the UK’s reputation as a top destination for international talent.

Responding to questions from journalists, the British High Commissioner explained the rationale behind the regulation.

He cited the challenges of providing housing and services to meet the needs of the existing student population and emphasized the importance of managing visitor numbers and migration, drawing a parallel with the Nigerian government’s approach.

Montgomery highlighted the significant increase in the number of Nigerian students coming to the UK, with their population growing fivefold in the last three years. He also noted that Nigerian visitors constitute over 10 percent of the individuals visiting London and the UK.

He expressed satisfaction with this trend, considering it a success story for UK universities and a positive development in bilateral relations.

During the meeting with the Vice President, discussions focused on the economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration, which have received a warm reception from UK investors.

Montgomery acknowledged the importance of key decisions made by the Nigerian government, such as subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms, which have created a more favorable investment environment.

He mentioned his positive interactions with British business representatives in London, particularly in the finance, banking, and investment sectors, who responded favorably to Nigeria’s economic reforms.

The British High Commissioner also touched upon potential assistance from the British government to alleviate the impact of discontinuing petroleum subsidies, acknowledging the challenging economic conditions faced by Nigerians.

He emphasized that the reforms undertaken by Nigeria would contribute to higher economic growth, attract more investments, and present significant opportunities for the United Kingdom and the city of London. Montgomery expressed his commitment to enhancing trade and investment between the two countries.

The UK Home Office announced on Tuesday that, starting in 2024, international students would no longer have the option to be accompanied by their families. Additionally, overseas students would be restricted from transitioning from a student visa to a work visa until they have completed their studies.

UUK issued a statement in response to this development, emphasizing that it poses a significant threat to the UK’s global standing as a leading destination for international talent. The organization urged careful consideration of the implications of these policies.

According to UUK, these regulations will further exacerbate the financial challenges faced by universities in the United Kingdom. Jamie Arrowsmith, the director of UUK, highlighted the substantial economic contribution made by foreign students and the widespread acceptance of international students by UK nationals.

Arrowsmith stated,“International students play a vital role in our universities and contribute significantly to the UK’s economy. Building on the government’s explicit commitments and aspirations outlined in the international education strategy, we have witnessed substantial growth since 2019.”

He further noted, “Our research demonstrates that international students bring immense economic benefits to the UK, with a single cohort generating a total benefit of £41.9 billion. We are also aware that the public overwhelmingly supports the international students we attract, as only nine percent of people believe that we should discourage them from choosing the UK.”

While acknowledging the potential impact of unregulated immigration in certain areas, Arrowsmith appealed to the government to explore alternative measures to manage immigration that would not further strain the already weakened financial situation of universities.

He stated, “While the majority of students will not be affected by the proposed limitations on dependents, it is crucial to obtain additional information regarding the programs that are included before assessing the full impact. Therefore, we urge the government to collaborate with the sector to minimize and monitor the effects on specific student groups and universities, which are already facing significant financial pressures. The announced review process must take these concerns into account.”

The statement concluded, “Ultimately, our collective objective should be to ensure that international students who choose the UK feel welcomed and valued, and that the conditions under which they make their decisions remain stable.”

Any measures that jeopardize the UK’s global success as a premier destination for international talent should be subjected to careful consideration.